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WWE Champion John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - 15th July 2013
(Credit: WWE)

Given the opportunity by Raw General Manager Brad Maddox to name his challenger at SummerSlam, WWE Champion John Cena could have taken the easy way out. Instead, he did just the opposite, choosing as his opponent a Superstar who many consider the top performer of 2013, Daniel Bryan.

In naming the submission specialist as his No. 1 contender, Cena showed no small amount of respect for Bryan and the WWE Universe. Before making his decision, Cena polled the WWE Universe on the July 15 edition of Raw, taking their opinion into consideration. Few can deny that Cena chose wisely, as the WWE Universe chanted "Yes!" along with Bryan.

Tenacious, versatile and double-tough, Bryan is equipped with a sophisticated grappling acumen and enough athleticism to give any foe — regardless of the size or strength disparity — a tall challenge. Moreover, a slew of brave performances in recent months, punctuated with a submission victory over Randy Orton, have firmly endeared Bryan to the WWE Universe, which now embraces the bearded warrior with a gusto that rivals the adulation that the Cenation pays its commander-in-chief.

Although their paths have intersected before, Cena and Bryan’s journeys to the main event of SummerSlam are far from similar. The Champ has stood atop WWE almost since the day he arrived more than 11 years ago, using his power-based offense to accumulate 13 World Title reigns. Bryan, a one-time World Heavyweight Champion, has never held the WWE Title, and has toiled in relative obscurity for more than a decade, honing his craft in places as far away as Japan and venues as modest as high school gyms. These experiences all have served to make him arguably the most technically gifted competitor today, a fighter who relies on technique over might.

Despite their considerable differences — stylistically, aesthetically and otherwise — Cena and Bryan are bonded by a mutual desire to be the absolute best, and in WWE, only one title signifies that: the WWE Championship.

Daniel Bryan will have his moment in the sun when the 26th Annual SummerSlam takes over the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, but will WWE’s “Yes!” man have what it takes to displace the always-gutsy Cena, who seems more determined than ever to keep possession of the championship gold? Find out when the action airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.